What does positive reinforcement involve?

Positive reinforcement involves delivering something preferred or desirable to an individual to strengthen or increase a specific behavior. The core concept here is that the addition of a positive stimulus following a behavior makes that behavior more likely to occur again in the future. For instance, if a student receives praise or a reward after completing their homework, this positive feedback encourages them to continue completing their homework in the future.

This principle is rooted in the laws of operant conditioning, where behavior is modified by its consequences. Essentially, when a person experiences a favorable outcome as a result of a behavior, they are more likely to repeat that behavior moving forward. In educational settings, understanding and applying positive reinforcement can help educators promote desired behaviors in students, enhancing the learning environment and encouraging positive interactions.